Price and specifications of Spice Mi-354 Smartflo Space advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Spice Mi-354 Smartflo Space

The Spice Mi-354 Smartflo Space, launched in August 2013, was a budget-friendly smartphone designed to cater to the essential needs of everyday mobile users. Despite being discontinued, it left a footprint in the era when affordable smartphones were gaining momentum. The device, like many from that period, focused on delivering basic smartphone functionality at a low cost.

Design and Build

The Spice Mi-354 features a compact and robust design, measuring 118.2 x 60.8 x 12.4 mm and weighing in at 125g. This made it fairly pocket-friendly and easy to handle for users who prefer smaller devices. The phone came in two color options: Black/Silver and White/Silver, offering users a choice for a bit of personalization.

Display

It sports a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 165 pixels per inch, offering modest clarity suitable for browsing the web and viewing basic multimedia content. Although not ideal for high-definition content, it was adequate for its price range during its time.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the device is powered by a Mediatek MT6517 chipset with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor and a PowerVR SGX531u GPU. While this may seem underwhelming by today's standards, it was reasonably capable of handling lightweight applications and basic multitasking at its launch. The smartphone runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, providing access to essential Android applications and services.

Camera

For photography, the Spice Mi-354 is equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera, which could capture basic visuals. The front houses a 1.3 MP camera, catering to video calls and basic selfies. While not an imaging powerhouse, these cameras provided simple photographic and video recording solutions adequate for the time.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with a microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand storage capacity for more photos, music, and applications. This feature is particularly useful given the limited onboard storage typical of budget smartphones of that era.

Battery and Efficiency

Powered by a Li-Ion 1450 mAh battery, the Spice Mi-354 Smartflo Space offers up to 6 hours of talk time and up to 200 hours of stand-by time. This specification reflects its efficiency in managing energy consumption over prolonged use. While the battery capacity might seem small today, it sufficed for the light demands of its era.

Connectivity

The smartphone supports dual-SIM functionality, making it a convenient choice for users who manage multiple mobile lines. Its connectivity options include GSM technology, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, and a standard microUSB for charging and data transfer. It also features an FM radio, which was a popular source of entertainment back then.

Sound and Multimedia

The Spice Mi-354 comes with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of audio accessories. This setup was standard for devices in its class and offered users a practical solution for on-the-go music and call management.

Additional Features

Additional features include sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which contribute to an improved user experience during certain interactions and applications. These basic sensors were sufficient for fundamental app functionalities and user engagement.

Market Position and Conclusion

Upon release, the Spice Mi-354 Smartflo Space was priced at approximately 40 EUR, fitting well within the budget category of smartphones. It offered a balance of essential features suitable for first-time smartphone users or those requiring a straightforward device for communication and basic applications.

Although it has since been discontinued, the Spice Mi-354 Smartflo Space remains a testament to the evolution of budget smartphones, representing a phase where accessible technology catered to an ever-growing audience of mobile users worldwide.